Ukranian ex-PM questioned on misuse of environment funds

Former Ukranian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has announced that she is being investigated for misusing public funds destined for environmental projects.

Yulia Tymoshenko

The Ukranian Prosecutor-General's Office has begun a criminal case, accusing her of misappropriating funds allocated as part of the Kyoto Protocol.

The charges concern the unauthorised use of funds Ukraine obtained from the sale of carbon credits under the Kyoto Protocol.

It is alleged that the money was diverted into pension funds.

In a statement on her official website Tymoshenko, now leader of the opposition party, called the proceedings a 'witch-hunt'.

She said: "I just learned from the investigator that criminal charges have been filed against me personally for allegedly spending environmental funds on pensions during the crisis, for committing a serious crime and paying pensions when the country was in a serious crisis."

The authorities are also investigating former Environment Minister Georgy Filipchuk, for alleged abuse of office. Alison Brown